DFAM Creates "Arlington South Beach" Memorial to Mark Fifth Anniversary of the Iraq Occupation

Written by: Simon Rose on Mar 18, 2008 11:15 AM EDT

For Immediate Release

Monday, March 17, 2008

Miami Beach, FL - Transforming Lummus Park into Arlington Cemetery, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), along with Veterans for Peace, have created a week-long memorial installation for the nearly 4,000 troops who have died since the occupation of Iraq began five years ago.  Unable to keep up with the rising death count, the groups have placed headstones along the Ocean Drive park featuring the name, rank and age at death of 3,000 fallen soldiers. The memorial is not only meant as reminder to passersby that the occupation is entering its sixth year, but also coincides with "Winter Soldier" testimonials that will take place this week in Washington, D.C..

Said DFAM's President, Wendy Sejour, "There are enormous costs to this occupation, both in lives lost and as a drag on our economy.  Without any clear mission for Iraq this occupation will go on indefinitely.  Hopefully this memorial will make people reflect on just how far things have gone wrong in Iraq and they will take action to help us bring our troops home safely."

The Winter Soldier testimonials, sponsored by the group, Iraq Veterans Against the War, are modeled after hearings of the same name that helped bring the Vietnam war to a close.  Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are testifying about atrocities committed by members of the US Armed Forces and mercenary soldiers. Their testimony can be heard via webstream at IVAW.org/ws_live.html.

On Wednesday, March 19th at 5:00 pm, a memorial service will be held and the names of the Florida soldiers fallen in Iraq will be read aloud.  At 7:00 pm, a candlelight vigil will be held.  The memorial installation will be in place for the week of March 15th - 22nd.

For more information please visit the DFAM Link at dfalink.com/event.php?id=28406


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